Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Support for school leavers 2026
Support for school leavers
SDS services beyond school
If your young person is leaving school and you or they are feeling worried or unsure about their next steps, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) can help.
The SDS career service is there for everyone, and they can help young people in school and after they leave. An SDS careers adviser can explain the options and support available to them to build the confidence they may need to make decisions and take their next steps.
SDS careers advisers can be reached in school, in SDS centres or community venues across Scotland, or by phoning the freephone SDS helpline. Guidance teachers in school can put you in touch with your school SDS careers adviser. Find your nearest SDS centre or community venue at skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/contact-sds or call the freephone SDS helpline, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0800 917 8000. All SDS services are free for everyone to use.
For the Careers Adviser to best support your young person, they may contact you by telephone to find out what your young person’s plans are after school, offer support and arrange appointments.
My World of Work – online support for school leavers
Parents and carers have a key role to play in helping their young people move on from school to whatever comes next. To help you provide support at this important time, Scotland’s career website, My World of Work, has a dedicated area with information and resources to help you support your child as they leave school, including a school leavers’ toolkit and a guide to career conversations.
There is also useful information on additional support for learning and additional support for work.
My World of Work also now offers a translation tool. Using a button on the homepage, the whole site can be instantly translated into 16 different languages, helping young people and parents and carers who use English as an additional language to access the information and support they need.
